Kupets captures SEC title

University of Georgia gymnast Courtney Kupets, a Magruder High graduate, won the all-around title and was named conference Gymnast of the Year at the recent Southeastern Conference meet. The Bulldogs (17-1) finished with a team score of 196.925 to finish runner-up to Alabama (197.3).

Kupets picked up her 11th all-around title in 12 meets with a score of 39.775. She also won the bars crown outright and shared the vault, beam and floor titles. Of a possible 60 individual crowns this year, Kupets has won or shared 47.

"Courtney was like an angel out there tonight," Georgia coach Suzanne Yoculan said. "It was like she had wings holding her up. There are no more adjectives to describe her. Everything that can be said about her has been said. She is absolutely amazing."

The Gym 'Dogs, who finished No. 1 in the final GymInfo rankings released Monday, were placed in the Southeast Regional, to be held on Saturday at 6 p.m.

Joining Georgia in the regional will be No. 12 Penn State, No. 13 Nebraska, No. 21 West Virginia, No. 29 North Carolina State and No. 30 North Carolina. The Gym 'Dogs defeated North Carolina State in Raleigh on Jan. 30.

The NCAA seeded 36 teams in a total of six regionals on Monday. The top two teams from each regional will advance to the NCAA Championship in Lincoln, Neb., April 16-18. Georgia has won titles at 20 NCAA Regionals under Yoculan, including each of the last three.